The Mississippi Heat track club traveled to Jacksonville, Fla., to compete in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics. Members of the track club started  Wednesday’s event by setting personal records and earning top qualifying seeds.

Leon Miles ran the preliminary men’s 400m hurdles in 53.6 seconds, clinching the No.1 overall qualifying time, while setting his personal best for the event in the process.

“I was shocked because I didn’t know I ran that time or had the best time overall,” Miles said.

Miles hopes he qualifies to make it to the semifinals later in the week.

This isn’t the first time Miles has competed in the Junior Olympics, but arrived to Jacksonville nervous.

“I just wanted to go in real focused on everything,” Miles said.

He has relaxed, calmed down and is now able to enjoy his events and the company of his teammates.

Miles will compete in the 110m hurdles Thursday.

With plans to attend Southern Miss after graduation, competing in events like the Junior Olympics will prepare Miles for competition on the collegiate level.

“I think he’ll be prepared mentally going through these events and trials,” Mississippi Heat coach Clarence Maxey said. “Coming out here and taking your lumps prepares you mentally. It’s going to be way harder in college.”

Maxey said Miles still has to go through a physical transformation but knows there are other guys who are faster.

“Hopefully the sky’s the limit for him,” Maxey said.

Keiyana Gaskin also set a personal best in the women’s 200m dash with 24.59 seconds, but failed to qualify for the next round. The top 24 fastest runners advance and Gaskin placed 25th.

Gaskin is very competitive and was upset about her finish, but Maxey hopes she can learn from this experience.

“Her competitive spirit won’t let her absorb the fact she did the best she could,” Maxey said.

Gaskin is no stranger to competition in the Junior Olympics. She has been to the final rounds in previous years and even ran with a hurt hamstring.

Overall, Maxey was proud of his team’s performance.

“I had five runners to compete and three of the set personal records. It’s some serious competition. There was a kid to break a national record. Anytime you can come here and do the best you can, I’m proud,” Maxey said.

The team is in good spirits. Maxey will have Gaskin competing Thursday; Taylor Gray and Diandrenique Gaines competing in the 13-14 year-old division; and Adria Burrell competing in girls 8-years-old and under division.

“I just want everyone to pray for use and wish us well,” Maxey said.